AZ Alkmaar vs Elfsborg prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-09-24 16:45.
[p]AZ Alkmaar have made a rampant start to the new Eredivisie season, going undefeated in their opening six games (W5, D1) which saw them finish Friday night top before being leapfrogged by PSV on Sunday. Still, they’ll hope to take that strong form into this new UEFA Europa League campaign where they’ll welcome Elfsborg, a side they’ve never previously faced competitively.[/p]
[p]A record of just one defeat from their last six games against Swedish sides in UEFA competitions should give the home side plenty of confidence that they can continue their bright start under Maarten Martens, who is embarking on his first full campaign in charge. A record of just two wins from their past ten matches in this competition (D4, L4) will highlight to Martens that there’s work to do if he wants to guide Alkmaar to the knockout phase for the first time since 2019/20.[/p]
[p]This game is over a decade in the making for Elfsborg who’ve not competed in a major European group/league phase since their appearance in the group stage of the Europa League back in 2013/14. They’ve had to work extremely hard to get here, playing no less than eight qualifying matches (W6, D1, L1), with their first-round clash against Cypriot side Pafos coming back at the start of July![/p]
[p]The Swedish side kept a clean sheet in five of those six European qualifying wins, and also kept one in their last league match – a 1-0 win at Halmstad. That fixture was last weekend, and no game this past weekend has given the visitors a physical advantage over their hosts. Having never previously made it to the knockout rounds of a European competition since the introduction of the group/league phase, Elfsborg will surely take any advantage they can get. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Summer signing Troy Parrot thoroughly enjoyed his last home outing, netting his four goals for AZ Alkmaar in the 9-1 win over Heerenveen earlier this month. Only one player registered more goal involvements than Elfsborg’s Michael Baidoo in the qualifying phase of this competition (six – G3, A3). [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Elfsborg have scored inside 30 minutes in each of their past five competitive away matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by David H[/i]Â [/p]